3 Favorite Holes – Fazio Course

Tom Fazio is regarded by most as the greatest golf course architect of his generation. No architect has as many Top 100 courses and Fazio’s work at Barefoot Resort has only enhanced his reputation.

The Fazio Course at Barefoot, which features ample bunkering, is ranked among Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. Locals regard it as one of the best Myrtle Beach golf courses, with its greatest asset being the strength of all 18 holes.

But we asked Barefoot Resort & Golf’s general manager, Dave Genevro, to name his three favorite holes and he produced. Without further ado, here are Genevro’s three favorite holes on the Fazio Course:

No. 5 – 499-yard, par 4 – A monster par 4, No. 5 is the most difficult hole on the course. Water looms on the right and fairway bunkers that spike any chance of getting on in regulation are on the left. The fifth hole is visually intimidating off the tee as the bunkers create the illusion of a narrow fairway, but there is an ample landing room.

The largest landing area, approximately 250 yards from the back tee, still leaves a lengthy approach to an elevated green. A par on No. 5 is a job well done.

No. 13 – 379-yard, par 4 -A short par 4 made unique by the fact it has two greens. The “primary” green is straight-away, making it the easier of the two options. The alternate green makes the hole play with a 90-degree dogleg left and requires a short iron over a combination of sand and water. The fairway runs from left to right and as a result, the prime landing spot for the alternate green often demands a shot off a side hill lie.

The second green, which is postage stamp size, gives the hole a quirky feel, but in this case, that is a good thing. The green that is chosen is based on maintenance.

No. 14 – 380-yard, par 4 – A relatively short par 4, but Fazio again proves that there is much more to a challenge than distance. After clearing wetlands off the tee, a waste bunker runs all the way to the green. A generous landing area is provided but there is movement in the fairway so a tee shot down the middle is much more rewarding than one that nears the rough.

A short iron is typically all that is required on the approach, but there is little margin for error shooting into a sloping green. No. 14 is Fazio at his best. The hole is visually challenging and it’s certainly not easy, but No. 14 is also exceedingly fair. Good shots are rewarded and the penalty for a bad shot is graduated.

What are your favorite holes on the Fazio Course? Do you agree or disagree with Genevro’s choices?